Action Heroes card jam packed
Pictured from Left to Right: Former World Champion Paulie Malignaggi, top junior middleweight contender James Kirkland, former Three-Time World Champion Robert Guerrero, Six-Time and Three-Division World Champion Erik Morales, former World Champion Marcos Maidana, former World Champion Michael Katsidis and welterweight contender Jose Miguel Cotto Credit: Hogan photos / Golden Boy Promotions
It's a card stacked with legitimate high-profile names in boxing. Golden Boy Promotions has put together a card that should bring forth some exciting action at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Headlining the card is former three-time champ Erik Morales. He'll take on the up and coming slugger Marcos Maidana in a 12-round 140-pound bout for the Interim WBA title.
The rest of the event features several anticipated bouts. Former IBF 140-pound champ Paulie Malignaggi will take on Jose Miguel Cotto, Robert Guerrero will hook up with Michael Kastidis for the WBA and WBO Interim lightweight championships and James Kirkland will square off against Nobuhiro in an 8-round middleweight bout.
The card will be broadcast on HBO pay-per-view.
One of the main complaints about the sport in recent years is the lack of depth on most of the major cards. This card will buck the trend as three championship belts are on the line.
There are several story lines to follow on Saturday. You have two experienced pros in Morales and Malignaggi, several fighters ready to take a big step into the spotlight in Maidana and Kirkland and boxers like Kastidis, Guerrero and Cotto who are trying to move into elite status.
The boxers talked about their favorite action heroes growing up.
Erik Morales: "My favorite action hero is Spiderman. I like Spiderman because he uses his brain to get out of tough situations."
Marcos Maidana: "I like Argentinean national comic book hero Patoruzu. He possessed super human physical strength and was also very generous."
Robert Guerrero: "Jesus Christ is my super hero because he has faith, patience and determination."
Michael Katsidis: "Superman because I have super human strengths like he does."
James Kirkland: "I always liked Spiderman because he was always willing to take on any one who crossed his path regardless of their size."
Paulie Malignaggi: "My favorite action hero as a kid was the Incredible Hulk. As an athlete, I think I make a similar transformation from my everyday life then move into fight week where the "Hulk" in me comes out. Now, my favorite action hero is definitely myself, 'Magic Man,' who was sent here to save the world of boxing and rid it of all its evil forces and unworthy opponents."
Jose Miguel Cotto: "Growing up, my favorite action hero was Tarzan, King of the Jungle because he is raw and powerful."
